WVU Edges Youngstown State

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The WVU baseball team pulled out 7-6 victory over Youngstown State in sloppy conditions on Wednesday evening at Eastwood Field in a non-conference matchup.

The win improves WVU’s overall record to 24-18 and gives the Mountaineers a win in the season series over the Penguins. Youngstown State dropped to 13-30 overall.

"It's April 24th, it's 40-some degrees, it's been raining on and off most of the game and the atmosphere was awful," coach Randy Mazey says. "When you get in conditions like this, it is hard to get mad at your team for how you play. You just need to try and win the game, which is what we did."

In a game that featured seven lead changes, WVU was led offensively by junior left fielder Jacob Rice and senior right fielder Brady Wilson who each registered three hits. Junior third baseman Ryan Tuntland added two hits.

Tied 6-6 heading into the ninth inning, Wilson knocked a leadoff base hit to center field. After stealing his third base of the evening, he was driven home from second base on a two-out single up the middle by Rice for the game-winning RBI.

The teams swapped runs in the first inning with junior first baseman Ryan McBroom knocking a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Wilson to put WVU up 1-0.

After the Penguins took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth, WVU scored two in the top of the fifth putting WVU ahead 3-2. Sophomore second baseman Billy Fleming scored the tying run on a fielder’s choice to second base by sophomore center fielder Bobby Boyd. Boyd then gave WVU the lead as he stole third base and advanced home on a fielding error by the YSU third baseman.

The Penguins tied the game again at 3-3 after five innings, but a single through the left side by junior designated hitter Matt Frazer plated junior first baseman Ryan McBroom to put WVU up 4-3 in the top of the six.

YSU made yet another comeback to score two in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 5-4 lead, but WVU was able to overcome a deficit as Tuntland singled through the left side to score sophomore shortstop Taylor Munden to tie the game at 5-5. Wilson then scored on a bases loaded balk for WVU to regain a 6-5 lead.

Nick DiNello tied the game at 6-6 for the Penguins in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a Kevin Hix double down the left field line.

Marcus Heath had two hits for the Penguins, and Mike Accardi and DiNello each scoring two runs.

The win went to Pascal Paul (3-3), who struck out one and walked one in 1.1 innings. Nic Manuppelli (0-2) took the loss, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts in 2.0 innings.

Both starters earned no-decisions as WVU freshman Brock Dykxhoorn allowed three runs, all unearned, on three hits in 4.1 innings. Dykxhoorn struck out five and walked three. YSU starter Jared Wight allowed one run on two hits in 4.0 innings with three strikeouts and two walks.

Junior right-hander Ryan Tezak pitched 3.1 innings of relief for WVU, scattering three runs, two earned, on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

The Mountaineers will travel to Linda K. Epling Stadium this weekend, taking on Big 12 opponent Kansas from April 26-28. Game one begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, game two begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the first pitch for game three is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The games will be video streamed on WVUsports.com, while the radio broadcast will be on select affiliates of the Mountaineer Sports Network, with Morgantown affiliate WAJR 1440 AM serving as the flagship station.